Oil pressure control valve by sliding camshaft for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

The invention pertains to an internal combustion engine with a crankcase, a crankshaft and a camshaft for controlling at least one intake and exhaust valve, as well as an oil pump for delivering lubricating oil to the crankshaft. Downstream on the outlet side of the oil pump is an oil pressure regulating valve for limiting the oil pressure. The valve gate, which is contacted by a spring element in the closing direction, depending on the amount of oil delivered and/or the oil temperature, the valve gate frees an opening that can be connected with the inlet side of the oil pump. It is suggested that the camshaft be seated in longitudinally displaceable fashion within the crankcase and form the valve gate of the oil pressure control valve. An oil pressure-limiting valve for an internal combustion engine is thus implemented in a simple way.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:  
     
       1. An internal combustion engine comprising: 
       a crankcase;  
       a crankshaft;  
       a camshaft for controlling at least one intake and exhaust valve;  
       an oil pump for delivering lubricating oil to the crankcase;  
       an oil pressure regulating valve located on the outlet side of the oil pump for limiting the oil pressure  
       a valve gate contacted by a spring element in the closing direction;  
       wherein the valve gate frees an opening that can be connected with the inlet side of the oil pump depending on the amount of oil delivered and/or the oil temperature; and,  
       wherein the camshaft is seated in longitudinally displaceable fashion within the crankcase and forms the valve gate of the oil pressure control valve.  
     
     
       2. The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , wherein the oil pump is a rotor pump further comprising: 
       an inner rotor arranged on the camshaft  
       an outer rotor seated in a recess of the crankcase  
       wherein the oil pump is sealed on the face by a spring-loaded sealing washer.  
     
     
       3. The internal combustion engine of  claim 2 , wherein the spring element is fixed between a bearing seat for a shaft journal of the camshaft and a limit stop provided on the camshaft. 
     
     
       4. The internal combustion engine of  claim 3 , wherein the limit stop is formed by a cam of the camshaft. 
     
     
       5. The internal combustion engine of  claim 4 , wherein the sealing washer is slipped on the inner rotor of the oil pump and lies against a gearwheel arranged on the camshaft. 
     
     
       6. The internal combustion engine of  claim 5 , wherein the inner rotor of the oil pump is joined with the gearwheel as one piece.